As I sit here at my desk, with shins that are giving me the finger, and an above average lack of sleep, I ache, I nod off - yet I am filled with an uncharacteristically warm happiness.

So, let me break down the events ot the weekend, day by day, for there was SO much that was seen and done!

FRIDAY: RECON
Went in first thing in the morning, got my Badge and set forth to orientate myself to the arrangement of things, and plan ahead for Saturday. After getting everything planned out, my friends and I left and changed into our Steampunk costumes for the evening. Upon returning, we had many pics taken of us, and my Steampunk Glove was the Belle of the Ball. Went home pooped, and then had a horrific event take place that kept me up all night in rage and emotional pain.

SATURDAY: FAMILY DAY
Went, again, first thing in the morning and met up with my friends and some family visiting from Florida for the Con. We all watched the parade together, where once again i could not help but deal on many of the costumes walking by. One in our group was in a wheelchair due to recent surgery - which provided many challenges and much humor (turtle!) - and we wheeled about see all there was to see and so on. The kids in our little group were particularly jazzed to see Jason Hawes & Grant Wilson (the guys from TAPS), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Ray Park (Darth Maul). We shopped until we collectively dropped, admitted defeat and headed home.

SUNDAY: THE DAY OF THE TROLL
Once again, we took off for the Con, but this time I came forth as IK, King of the Trolls in all his glory! After making it through the hotel lobbies with much stopping to have my picture taken, I found myself in the room that I would be spending the better part of my day in - "The Walk of Fame". As soon as I pressed through the doors, I was greeted by an "official" DragonCon photographer who insisted that I go over and stand with Lou Ferrigno (the Incredible Hulk) for a photo, which I was more than happy to do. Little did I know that this was the first drop of rain, in a storm... Next I met Michael Winslow (the guy who makes all those mouth noises in the Police Academy movies and Spaceballs), who was very appreciative of IK. He took pics too.

Now, it was a darn good thing that i had IK's headpiece on, but cause the events of the next five hours threated to make my head swell like a Jiffy Pop popcorn thingy.

As per usual, I had a ton of people take pictures of me - but the thing that wowed me was that about half of the people that were there to be seen (the celebrities) were taking pictures of or with ME!!! Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), William Katt (the Greatest American Hero), Erin Grey (Buck Rogers), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), David Prowse (Darth Vader), Barbara Luna (Star Trek, Buck Rogers), Elisabeth Rohm (Law & Order) who also flirted with IK, Brent Spiner (Lt. Data) literally climbed over Johnathan Frakes (William Riker) to take my pic, Lori Petty (A League of Their Own. Tank Girl), and a few others all had to have a picture of me. I felt AWESOME!

But the day was not yet over....

After a quick step back to the vehicle in which we came, I slipped out of my Ivy Boots, and into the Official "IK the Troll" Big Feet--, and sauntered off to que up and prepare to be in the "Masquerade Costume Contest". Now i should point out at this time that my feet and shines were already hurting. Standing made my legs shake, and sitting made it so that everytime I stood up, it was like I was walking on flames and broken glass. Yes, the Troll King needs better quality foot wear, shut up! I entered in the category of "Journeyman", having not won an award before, but being of a higher quality than that of a mere novice. There were MANY great costumes in the contest, and as we all sat behind stage as thing set up we all talked about the construction of our individual costumes, and an air of mutual appreciation was established. I was number 27 out of 65, and as I shuffled out on stage, I was met with a cheer that filled me with great happiness! Amd to make a long story short, I won in my catagory! WHEEE!! But my winning was tempered but my extreme exhaustion. I stumbled back to the van went home.

MONDAY: THE ICING ON THE CAKE
Now, I should point out that originally, I had not planned to come to the Con on Monday, but my winnings from the Costume Contest made it a requirement. Sadly, there was little that I could find that I truly wanted, so i spent the money on things for my friends. On a whim, I stopped back in the "Walk of Fame" to see if anyone recognized me in my human form, and was delighted by the overall reaction. Herb Jefferson, Jr. (Lt. Boomer on the original Battlestar Galactica) went into a supportive speech about how special the character I had created is, and that he could easily see me with my own kid's show "kind of like 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood'", and was VERY enthusiastic about the idea. But the icing on the cake was Michael Winslow asking me to contact him concerning a project he was working on. For fear of jinxing it, i shall say no more. I shall simply say I'm very happy, and very tired, and for once in my life the light at the end of the tunnel does not looks so much like the headlight of a train.

I'll post pictures as soon as I have them.

Huzzah.